Which dental procedure is typically associated with the use of topical anesthetics?

Topical anesthetics are primarily used to numb specific areas of the oral cavity to minimize discomfort during certain dental procedures. Cavity preparation, which involves the removal of decayed tissue and the shaping of the tooth for the dental filling, often requires the use of local anesthesia to manage pain. However, before administering the needle for local anesthesia, a topical anesthetic is frequently applied to the mucosa to reduce the sensation of the injection itself, making the overall experience more comfortable for the patient.

In contrast, while scaling, root canal therapy, and extractions may involve local anesthetics, the use of a topical anesthetic is less typically highlighted in those contexts. Scaling usually involves cleaning below the gum line, root canal therapy requires deeper anesthesia for the tooth and surrounding tissue, and extractions generally involve significant manipulation, all of which are addressed through injection of local anesthetics rather than just topical applications. Therefore, cavity preparation is the procedure most closely associated with the use of topical anesthetics, emphasizing its role in alleviating discomfort at the onset of treatment.